Farinholt concedes 94th District race to Yancey

November 06, 2013|By Ryan Murphy, rmurphy@dailypress.com

As a recount looms in the Attorney General's race, another close race has been decided Wednesday morning.

Rob Farinholt, the Democratic challenger in the 94th House District, has conceded to Del. David Yancey (R- Newport News) after the final vote tallies came in on Wednesday. On Tuesday night, Farinholt's campaign was holding out hope that uncounted absentee ballots would fall their way.

Farinholt campaign staffers said they had expected to take the majority of the absentee ballots and narrow the margin enough to warrant a recount. As of State Board of Elections reports Wednesday morning, the absentee vote split 51.1 percent to 48.9 percent in Yancey's favor, virtually mirroring the race's overall result. After the absentee ballots were tallied, Yancey held on to a 537 vote lead.

Farinholt issued a statement Wednesday morning as the dust cleared and it became clear that the totals had not broken in his favor.

"I am grateful for the energy and enthusiasm so many in this community put into our race. This outcome does not change our commitment to working together to make Newport News a better place to live, work and raise a family," Farinholt said in a statement Wednesday. He went on to congratulate Yancey on his victory.

Yancey declared victory in the tight race late Tuesday night, when the last outstanding precinct finally reported for Yancey, leaving the freshman delegate with a 523 vote lead. Yancey said Tuesday night that his campaign had waited to declare a victory until the last precinct had reported and they were sure. Yancey remained confident that he would retain his lead after the absentee totals came in.